How tau is made and cleared in frontotemporal dementia
Tau Metabolism in FTD: From Gene Mutations to Molecular Chaperones and Lysosomal Proteases
Researchers are looking at how gene changes and the cell's cleanup systems make tau protein build up in people with frontotemporal dementia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11167648 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This Center brings together teams to map the full life cycle of tau protein in FTD, from how it is made to how it is modified and broken down. Scientists will use genetics, lab studies of cells and proteins, and advanced imaging and biochemical tools to study molecular chaperones, post‑translational changes, and lysosomal/autophagy pathways. The work combines experiments on disease-linked gene variants, molecular and cellular assays, and shared core facilities to create a unified picture of tau metabolism. Results are intended to point to measurable biomarkers and potential targets for future therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia involving tau pathology or individuals who carry known tau-gene mutations are the most relevant candidates for related clinical or sample-based studies.
Not a fit: People whose dementia is caused by non-tau proteins or unrelated neurological conditions are unlikely to see direct benefits from this tau-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could reveal new targets to prevent or reduce tau buildup and guide treatments for tau-related FTD.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory studies have linked tau mutations and clearance pathways to disease, but this coordinated, multi-team effort to map overall tau metabolism is a novel and more comprehensive approach.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kao, Aimee — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Kao, Aimee
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.